Arkansans across the minors

When pitcher Duke Welker (Arkansas Razorbacks) was called intoManager Dean Treanor’s office on Tuesday before Class AAA Indianapolis played Scranton/Wilkes Barre, he was soon on the receiving end of what some might call a tirade. Welker sat awkwardly and unsettled until Treanor broke characterand told Welker he had earned his first call-up to the Pittsburgh Pirates. “Dean wants the best for you,” Welker told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “And he tried to, in a way, intimidate you a little bit and make you feel uncomfortable. It’s kind of funny. When it’s good news, he goes over the top with it.” Welker’s performance for Indianapolis this season has been good news. He went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 10 appearances. He gave up only three hits to the 56 batters he faced. “His command has been the one thing that’s wavered in the past,”Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said. “It seems to have gotten better each and every year. This year, it’s as good as it’s ever been.”

First baseman Andy Wilkins (Arkansas Razorbacks) hit two home runs to help the Birmingham Barons (AA White Sox) defeat the Tennessee Smokies 16-0 on Tuesday in a game that was called after 5 innings because of heavy rain. After hitting 17 home runs for the Barons last season, Wilkins had only 1 home run this season until Tuesday night. “I was a little more patient at the plate,” Wilkins told MiLB.com. “I think I’ve been too anxious. I was just trying to let the pitcher come to me as opposed to going after him.” The lack of power in the first month of the season has frustrated Wilkins. “I think, for me to go over a month and to just get to three homers, that’s kind of rare,” Wilkins said. “Today, I made a conscious effort to be more selective. That, if anything, slowed me doan a little bit and helped me focus a little more as opposed to jumping out and swinging at whatever came my way. I think that was a big step for me.”Who’s hotANDY WILKINS (Arkansas Razorbacks) saw his average rise to .287. In 26 at-bats during 6 games, Wilkins scored 5 runs on 9 hits,including a double and 2 home runs, with 7 RBI.

MIKE BOLSINGER (Arkansas Razorbacks) picked up 2 victories, but saw his ERA rise 0.36. He is 2-0 this season with a 2.89 ERA. Bolsinger pitched a combined 8 innings in 2 appearances, in which he allowed 8 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Who’s not MURRAY WATTS (Arkansas State) saw his batting average drop to .148. In 8 at-bats during 2 games, Watts scored just 1 run on 1 hit.

ZACH CATES (Conway) picked up a loss and saw his ERA rise 1.55. He has a 3-3 record with a 4.73 ERA this season. In his only appearance, Cates lasted just 4 innings, allowing 11 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.